Portrayed the Middle Ages as being a poor period and the Renaissance being great
Wrote “Adages”- little proverbs
Charles VIII:
French king who in 1494 invades Italy
He takes advantage of Ilmoro’s request to come and fight Florence, the Papal States, and Naples. He actually wants to regain power in Italy.
The League of Venice kicks Charles VII out, and this starts the ideas of balance of power.
Pope Alexander:
From the Borgia family
Had 2 kids, one of whom was Cesare
The election of the Pope was incredibly political and not about religion as much
Formed an alliance with Louis XII (after King Charles VIII), who wants to expand French land in Italy.
Anoles marriages (allows divorce)
Beats up Italian City States
Pope Julius II:
Was elected pope in 1502
Known as the “warrior pope” because he was known for leading the army
Was big opponent of the Borgia family
Secures land for Papal States
Ends alliance with France and starts alliance with Spain
This became the Holy League
The League fought against France
The League signs the Concordat of Bologna: France can appoint bishops, but the church (pope) gets power over the church councils.
Most gluttonous pope: had a lot of art made for him while peasants were starving
Machiavelli:
Wrote “The Prince”
Showed princes how to rule properly
Said that rulers should do everything they can to maintain power and improve the country
Said that “the ends justify the means”: it doesn’t matter how you get where you want to be
“It is better to be feared than loved if you can’t be loved.”
The love of the people is fickle
Louis XI:
Ruled France between 1461 and 1483
Called the “spider king” because he was treacherous (in a good way)
Consolidated power
Got support from nobles
Gave money to the silk weaving industry
Arranges trade agreements and alliances
Uses severe taxes to pay for the army
(his son signed the Concordat of Bologna for France)
Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile:
Got married to unite Spain
Expel Moors (Muslims) out of Spain
Killed people so that there were only Catholics in Spain: The Inquisition
Tortured and burned Jews and Muslims
Hurt Spain because Jews and Muslims were professionals
Have daughter: Joana, who marries Phillip of Austria (Hapsburgs). Then, Joana and Phillip have Catherine, who marries Henry VIII when her first husband dies.
Henry Tutor or Henry VII:
Created the Court of the Star Chamber
This was a torture chamber where people were taken to get answers
Kept the nobility in check
Erasmus:
First humanist to learn ancient Greek
Raised in monastery
Talked about living a pious, or simple, life
This idea was contrasted to the fancy and luxurious life of Catholics
Translates the Bible into Greek
Knowing Greek becomes essential
Comes up with Colloquies: parables of how people should live
Wrote Adages: a lot of proverbs
Philosophia Christi: his motto of living as simply as Jesus did
Many leaders of the day wanted Erasmus’ help, but he never took sides. If he did, he would have become much more famous.
Thomas More:
Wrote “Utopia”-“no where”
Talks about the perfect place
Was a bishop
Executed by Henry VII because Henry wanted to get married and More disapproved
Was in the Northern Europe, where humanism was more religious than in Italy.
Important Terms
City States – Rome (Papal States), Milan, Florence, Venice, Napals. Despot - A form of government ruled by one main person or group, similar to a tyranny. 4 Social Groups in Florence – Grandi, Popolo Grosso, Middle-Burghers, Popolo Minute Balance of Power - When one power becomes too strong, the others join together to balance it out. Humanism – Mental idea of the Renaissance. Studia Humanitatis – Liberal education centered around the classics – Grammar, rhetoric, poetry, history, politics, moral philosophy. Individualism – People do things for themselves. Secularism – Worldly things, religious or secular. People enjoy life. Concordat of Bologna – France gets to appoint Bishops, Pope has power over church councils, Pope gets to collect 1st year salary of Bishops. Reichstag – An imperial diet, meeting to discuss issues. Colloquies – Lessons for Erasmus’ students. Adages – Series of proverbs by Erasmus.
Major Events The Ciompi revolt in Florence 1378-82
Occurred in the Summer of 1378
The popolo minuto, wanted representation
July 22- took control of the government by force
Backed by Arti Minori, less powerful guilds, who gave them guild privileges
Important because this was the first time all social classes were represented in government.
The Signing of Treaty of Lodi
April 9, 1454
Allied Milan, Florence, and Naples
Established boundaries between Milan’s and Venice’s territories
Lasted less than 50 years
Important because while it lasted it created a balance of power and halted warfare
Charles VIII invades Italy
Pope Innocent VIII and the Duke of Milan encouraged him to invade Naples
In 1494, he felt he was capable
February 22, 1495- reaches Naples with 25,000 men
Took over without a battle, Charles became King of Naples
Some believe that Charles will help purify their society
However, the quickness of his take over caused fear, and the League of Nations was formed
The League of Nations defeated Charles in July of 1495, at Fornovo
Important because Italy allies other countries
The Signing of Concordat of Bologna
Agreement between King Francis I of France and Pope Leo X signed 1516
The Pope can collect the income of the Catholic Church in France
King of France can tax clerics and control their ability to appeal to Rome
King was able to nominated people for positions in the church in France, but only the Pope could make it official
Important because it helped to reform France and eased tensions between the French monarchy and the Papacy
The Sack of Rome
After defeating France, soldiers of the Holy Roman Empire learned they would not be getting paid because the Holy Roman Empire could no longer afford it
The army revolted and forced leader Charles III to lead them to Rome
May 6, 1527 they reached Rome and the attack began
After Charles III was killed, the enraged soldiers managed to capture Rome
Killed roughly 1,000 people and most of the Swiss Guard, then began pillaging
Pillaged churches, monasteries, and the palaces of Cardinals
June 6, Pope Clement VII surrendered and paid a ransom of 400,000 ducati for his life
Important because it ended the Roman Renaissance, weakened the Papacy, and although Charles V was embarrassed it was noted that he did have a powerful army and Pope Clement VII was afraid to upset him, which resulted in him simply giving the Bishopric of Utrecht to the Habsburgs.
Mirandola:
Francesco Petrarch:
Giovanni Boccaccio:
Charles VIII:
Pope Alexander:
Pope Julius II:
Machiavelli:
Louis XI:
Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile:
Henry Tutor or Henry VII:
Erasmus:
Thomas More:
Important Terms
City States – Rome (Papal States), Milan, Florence, Venice, Napals.
Despot - A form of government ruled by one main person or group, similar to a tyranny.
4 Social Groups in Florence – Grandi, Popolo Grosso, Middle-Burghers, Popolo Minute
Balance of Power - When one power becomes too strong, the others join together to balance it out.
Humanism – Mental idea of the Renaissance.
Studia Humanitatis – Liberal education centered around the classics – Grammar, rhetoric, poetry, history, politics, moral philosophy.
Individualism – People do things for themselves.
Secularism – Worldly things, religious or secular. People enjoy life.
Concordat of Bologna – France gets to appoint Bishops, Pope has power over church councils, Pope gets to collect 1st year salary of Bishops.
Reichstag – An imperial diet, meeting to discuss issues.
Colloquies – Lessons for Erasmus’ students.
Adages – Series of proverbs by Erasmus.
Major Events
The Ciompi revolt in Florence 1378-82
The Signing of Treaty of Lodi
Charles VIII invades Italy
The Signing of Concordat of Bologna
The Sack of Rome